Pharmacy Student Julie Brown Receives National Award

(From left to right): John Chandler, R.Ph., regional talent specialist for Walmart Stores, Inc.; RESPy Award winner Julie Brown holding the "Mortar and Pestle;" and Dr. Dana Brown, assistant dean for academics, Gregory School of Pharmacy, who nominated Brown for the award, in Gregory Hall.

Julienne "Julie" Brown, a P2 (second year) student in Palm Beach Atlantic University's Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy has a committment to service that has been recognized -- nationally.

Brown, a 24-year-old native of Palm Harbor, Fla. is a recipient of the RESPy Award -- Respect, Excellence, and Service in Pharmacy. The Pharmacy Times, in conjunction with Walmart Stores, Inc. sponsor the national award honoring pharmacy students. Immediately following the school's monthly “Lunch and Learn” lecture in Gregory Hall Oct. 18, attendees remained to see John Chandler, R.Ph., regional talent specialist serving Florida and Puerto Rico for Walmart Stores, Inc., present Brown with a one-of-a-kind “Mortar and Pestle.” The award was commissioned by the RESPy committee and custom made for Brown by artist Mark Rademacher. Brown also was presented a framed copy of the article about her in the October 2012 issue of Pharmacy Times.

“Pharmacists are the most trusted and respected leaders in health care,” said Chandler, a member of the Gregory School of Pharmacy Leadership Council since 2009. “Julie’s community service embodies the ‘Respect, Excellence, and Service’ the award stands for.”

Candidates for the RESPy award are nominated by deans of pharmacy schools across the country. A demonstration of public service, a high level of professional/public health-related activities outside of the classroom and efforts to advance the profession of pharmacy in the public arena are some of the criteria used to select winners. Eight RESPy award winners are chosen each year, and featured in Pharmacy Times magazine. Award winners receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Dana Brown, associate professor of pharmacy practice and administration and assistant dean for academics, nominated Brown for the award. When addressing the audience she said that while only in her second year as a student in the Gregory School of Pharmacy, Brown has shown her commitment to service. She is president of the class of 2015, and vice president of Phi Delta Chi. Her accomplishments also include participating in Legislative Days in Tallahassee to advocate for immunization services, and participation in a mission trip to Guatemala where she and her colleagues provided a variety of medical services in remote locations.

“I couldn’t think of anyone else who’s more deserving,” Brown said. “We were very thrilled to learn Julie was accepted for the award.”

"To be nominated by Dean Brown was an incredible honor," Julie Brown said. "She is a mentor and someone I greatly admire. I am happy to represent the school, and will aspire to continue to uphold the character and level of service the award recognized."

Visibly moved, Julie Brown gave glory to God.

“If you see me, don’t congratulate me,” she said. “Give glory to God; he gives us the power to be able to serve others."